Written by Bryan Gibberman at Bloguin
With the New York Jets heading into a showdown with the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon it’s a good time to ponder how good is the stepchild of the AFC East?
Football Outsiders ranks the Green and White fifth by their DVOA system and put New York with an 80% chance at making the playoffs. The Jets have the second ranked defense and 10th best offense, one of only five teams along with the Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills to be top 10 in both.
Chris Ivory is fourth in the NFL in total rushing yards despite missing a game and the Jets already having a bye. Ivory is the only player averaging over five yards per rush compiling at least 80 carries.
The Jets offensive line isn’t only creating running lanes for their running backs, but doing an excellent job giving quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick time to throw. Some of this is offensive coordinator Chain Gailey scheming to get the ball out of his QB’s hands quickly and part the group of five playing together well — New York is allowing an NFL-low sack percentage of 1.2.
To compliment the running game the Jets have been getting solid play on the outside from Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, who also lines up frequently in the slot. Both have consistently made big plays, while also being prone to mistakes. The good overshadows the bad here, though. Marshall has 37 catches for 511 yards and four touchdowns — Decker has hit pay dirt the same amount. Both are averaging a little over 13 yards per catch.
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